Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza on Wednesday, with at least 16 Palestinians reported killed across the strip as the world awaited Hamas' response to US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the embattled territory. 

The dead included people who had sought refuge in a school sheltering the displaced in Gaza City. Al-Falah school in the city's eastern Zeitoun neighbourhood was hit twice, minutes apart, according to officials at Al-Ahli Hospital. Among the casualties were first responders, they said. Five Palestinians were killed later on Wednesday morning, when a strike hit people gathered around a drinking water tank on the western side of Gaza City, the same hospital said. 

Trump's peace proposal

On Tuesday, Qatar said that further talks were needed over details of Trump's proposal for ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza. Hamas said it would study the plan, both within the group and with other Palestinian factions, before responding. 

Pope urges for peace

History's first American pope repeated his call for an immediate cease-fire and the release of hostages. But Pope Leo also expressed hope for the plan to put an an end to the war. "There are elements that I think are very interesting, and I hope Hamas accepts it in the established timeframe."  

Flotilla headed to Gaza  

A flotilla of activists carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid is sailing toward Gaza. The activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla of about 50 vessels say they expect Israeli authorities to intercept them, as has happened in past flotilla attempts to reach Gaza. 

Qatar gets shield

Trump has signed an executive order vowing to use all measures including US military action to defend the energy-rich nation of Qatar - though it remains unclear just what weight the pledge will carry. The text of the order, available on Wednesday on the White House's website but dated Monday, appears to be another measure by Trump to assure the Qataris following Israel's surprise attack on the country targeting Hamas leaders.